American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas JeffersonNATIONAL BOOK AWARD WINNER Following Thomas Jefferson from the drafting of the Declaration of Independence to his retirement in Monticello, Joseph J. Ellis unravels the contradictions of the Jeffersonian character. He gives us the slaveholding libertarian who was capable of decrying mescegenation while maintaing an intimate relationship with his slave, Sally Hemmings; the enemy of government power who exercisdd it audaciously as president; the visionarty who remained curiously blind to the inconsistencies in his nature. American Sphinx is a marvel of scholarship, a delight to read, and an essential gloss on the Jeffersonian legacy. |
Contents
JEFFERSONIAN SURGE AMERICA 199293 | 3 |
PHILADELPHIA 177576 | 27 |
PARIS 178489 | 75 |
Copyright | |
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Abigail Adams Adams to Jefferson Adams's American history American Revolution August Benjamin Rush Boyd British Cappon character chief claimed constitutional Continental Congress debate debt December decision Declaration of Independence delegates dence domestic draft England English European February federal government Federalist Ford foreign France French friends Gallatin George Hamilton Henry historians ibid Inaugural James Madison James Monroe January Jay Treaty Jeffer Jefferson to James Jefferson to John Jefferson to William Jeffersonian John Adams July June letters Madison to Jefferson Malone March Maria Cosway Marshall meant ment mind Monticello moral never Onuf Paris party Philadelphia president principles question Quincy Randolph republic Republican retirement revolutionary Sally Hemings scholarly seemed sense September sion slavery slaves Smith son's story style Summary View thinking Thomas Jefferson thought tion truth VIII Virginia vision Washington Whig William Branch Giles William Short William Stephens Smith words wrote York